Comments on: Grass Clippings as Worm Food http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:40:02 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: wendy http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21714 wendy Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:18:30 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21714 Hi Al, Thank you. I will change the interrior from plastic to landscape fabric. I really think this is an excellent idea. Hey Bently, Al, and friends, with regards to using aged manure from the farm, do you think I can add/use the manure I buy from the garden shop in lieu of... I'm thinking of experimenting a small amount, although I will not be able to compare the results with the aged stuff....... Wendy Hi Al,

Thank you. I will change the interrior from plastic to landscape fabric. I really think this is an excellent idea.

Hey Bently, Al, and friends,

with regards to using aged manure from the farm, do you think I can add/use the manure I buy from the garden shop in lieu of…

I’m thinking of experimenting a small amount, although I will not be able to compare the results with the aged stuff…….

Wendy

]]> By: Al Wright http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21703 Al Wright Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:23:40 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21703 Wendy, the plastic I was referring to was the other kind of bin. I have the wooden ammo boxes as well as some plastic bins with lids, see http://www.wormiculture.com/images/whitebin.jpg . They all have holes drilled on the sides, top and bottom, so even if it pours, the excess water drains out. No doubt, my bins are getting pretty wet lately and I have partially covered them to keep one end of them dryer so my worms have someplace drier to hang out. I just laid a plank across them to deflect some water. If you need to line the veggie bins, you could use almost anything as long as you allow for drainage. Again, that landscape fabric or weed barrier http://www.wormiculture.com/images/weedbarrier.jpg might work fine to allow for drainage and keep them inside. I imagine you could cut it long enough and fold it over the top to keep them in and bugs out. The funny thing is that when I dig down to check on them, there are more worms of all sizes in the soggy side than on the drier side so I guess they don't mind being very wet. I do turn my bins about once a week to keep them well mixed and aerated. Wendy, the plastic I was referring to was the other kind of bin. I have the wooden ammo boxes as well as some plastic bins with lids, see http://www.wormiculture.com/images/whitebin.jpg . They all have holes drilled on the sides, top and bottom, so even if it pours, the excess water drains out. No doubt, my bins are getting pretty wet lately and I have partially covered them to keep one end of them dryer so my worms have someplace drier to hang out. I just laid a plank across them to deflect some water. If you need to line the veggie bins, you could use almost anything as long as you allow for drainage. Again, that landscape fabric or weed barrier http://www.wormiculture.com/images/weedbarrier.jpg might work fine to allow for drainage and keep them inside. I imagine you could cut it long enough and fold it over the top to keep them in and bugs out. The funny thing is that when I dig down to check on them, there are more worms of all sizes in the soggy side than on the drier side so I guess they don’t mind being very wet. I do turn my bins about once a week to keep them well mixed and aerated.

]]> By: Hey Al Wright, http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21701 Hey Al Wright, Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:30:59 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21701 Do you place the "plastic" inside or outside the wooden ammo cases? I got a supply of wooden veggie boxes from the supermarket and I thought about lining the inside of the boxes before placing the worms How do you prevent too much rain from getting inside the bins? Its been pretty wet in northern jersey the month so I had a rough rain/flodding problem with my bins thanks for the info on bugs I will read up on it Yes I too try to keep outside invasions of the other kind from entering my bins I went to Whole Foods to get some "organic" bug spray on my legs Wendy Do you place the “plastic” inside or outside the wooden ammo cases?
I got a supply of wooden veggie boxes from the supermarket and I thought about lining the inside of the boxes before placing the worms

How do you prevent too much rain from getting inside the bins?
Its been pretty wet in northern jersey the month so I had a rough rain/flodding problem with my bins

thanks for the info on bugs I will read up on it

Yes I too try to keep outside invasions of the other kind from entering my bins

I went to Whole Foods to get some “organic” bug spray on my legs

Wendy

]]> By: Mark from Kansas http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21677 Mark from Kansas Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:46:51 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21677 I have a big problem with bugs and bug larva with my compost all of a sudden! I put a pound of my feedstock in the freezer for 36 hours, when it thawed some of the larva were still alive. Not wanting to add bugs to my bin, I found out that these bugs won't survive the MICROWAVE for 5 minutes! I have a big problem with bugs and bug larva with my compost all of a sudden! I put a pound of my feedstock in the freezer for 36 hours, when it thawed some of the larva were still alive. Not wanting to add bugs to my bin, I found out that these bugs won’t survive the MICROWAVE for 5 minutes!

]]> By: Al Wright http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21644 Al Wright Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:44:09 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21644 Wendy, I found an informative article regarding pill bugs in your bin. ( http://ccmg.ucdavis.edu/files/55651.pdf ) says that they like the same wet conditions as worms. As for flies, I first thought I had fruit flies, but these were slow and stupid and turned out to be Spaerocerid flies, aka "dung flies". ( http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/sphaerocerid-fly.htm ) One way to at least reduce the populations of flies is to use a layer of mulch, such as shredded paper, coir or peat to keep the attraction level as low as possible. I often open up the tops of my bins on a sunny day and let the top most layer dry out as the flies don't seem to be tunneling down very far. My bins are mainly wooden ammo cases and some plastic under bed size bins with 1/8" holes all around and under for drainage. I have them all off the ground on the shadiest side of my house about 3 feet on platforms. This keeps them high enough so I'm not bent over to keep them and away from ants and other crawling things. I also sprayed the legs with bug killer to keep them away. Hope this helps. Wendy,
I found an informative article regarding pill bugs in your bin. ( http://ccmg.ucdavis.edu/files/55651.pdf ) says that they like the same wet conditions as worms. As for flies, I first thought I had fruit flies, but these were slow and stupid and turned out to be Spaerocerid flies, aka “dung flies”. ( http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/sphaerocerid-fly.htm ) One way to at least reduce the populations of flies is to use a layer of mulch, such as shredded paper, coir or peat to keep the attraction level as low as possible. I often open up the tops of my bins on a sunny day and let the top most layer dry out as the flies don’t seem to be tunneling down very far.
My bins are mainly wooden ammo cases and some plastic under bed size bins with 1/8″ holes all around and under for drainage. I have them all off the ground on the shadiest side of my house about 3 feet on platforms. This keeps them high enough so I’m not bent over to keep them and away from ants and other crawling things. I also sprayed the legs with bug killer to keep them away. Hope this helps.

]]> By: wendy http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21639 wendy Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:30:04 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21639 Bently, Al Wright, I'm going to make the adjustments you recommended. Any suggestions to help minimize or get rid of the nasty little flies and pill bugs inside of bin. Don't know how the pill bugs get in. They crawl and not fly. With regards to out door vermicomposting, were worms placed directly into a compost pile or did you biild a structure on the ground to seperate and restrict worms from escaping while adding the food source on top? Thanks Wendy Bently, Al Wright,

I’m going to make the adjustments you recommended.

Any suggestions to help minimize or get rid of the nasty little flies and pill bugs inside of bin.

Don’t know how the pill bugs get in. They crawl and not fly.

With regards to out door vermicomposting, were worms placed directly into a compost pile or did you biild a structure on the ground to seperate and restrict worms from escaping while adding the food source on top?

Thanks
Wendy

]]> By: catherine http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21629 catherine Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:56:13 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21629 I moved a compost heap yesterday, and the worms were nearly all to be found in the stinkiest, wettest, nastiest clumps of rotting grass. So I think that they'll definitely appreciate a grass clippings diet! I moved a compost heap yesterday, and the worms were nearly all to be found in the stinkiest, wettest, nastiest clumps of rotting grass. So I think that they’ll definitely appreciate a grass clippings diet!

]]> By: Mark from Kansas http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21612 Mark from Kansas Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:52:47 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21612 Al: those are the vents I use Iker: I LOVE that calculator. Thank you very much. Al: those are the vents I use

Iker: I LOVE that calculator. Thank you very much.

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21610 Bentley Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:25:48 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21610 WENDY - there are several things that stood out for me as I read your comment. 1) The worms were recently received and added to a new bin. 2) The bin was put outside in wet weather 3) Your holes are 3 inches in circumference When worms get shipped and then added to a completely new system, they are almost ALWAYS going to be at least a little restless - often they are very restless. Aside from all the handling and bumping around, their new home is almost always a very different environment than they are used to. Worms raised on a large scale (by worm farmers) are very typically fed livestock manure. They will certainly consume rotting food wastes (and other materials) but it can take them a little while to get used to it. Add to this the fact that many people starting a worm bin are beginners and it's no wonder there can be trouble early on (don't worry, you are definitely NOT alone). Keeping worms inside a worm bin inside a dry/bright home is not all that difficult (at least once the restless stage has passed), but if left out in a dark, warm, wet environment - and provided with an escape route, there is a good chance they'll start to explore (ESPECIALLY if they've just been introduced to this new environment). Your holes are far too big - even if we are talking about circumference, 3" is huge for a worm bin. I personally prefer 1/8" diameter. Anyway, really sorry to hear of your troubles Wendy - although glad you at least have some worms left. Hope this has helped a little 8) WENDY – there are several things that stood out for me as I read your comment. 1) The worms were recently received and added to a new bin.
2) The bin was put outside in wet weather
3) Your holes are 3 inches in circumference

When worms get shipped and then added to a completely new system, they are almost ALWAYS going to be at least a little restless – often they are very restless. Aside from all the handling and bumping around, their new home is almost always a very different environment than they are used to. Worms raised on a large scale (by worm farmers) are very typically fed livestock manure. They will certainly consume rotting food wastes (and other materials) but it can take them a little while to get used to it. Add to this the fact that many people starting a worm bin are beginners and it’s no wonder there can be trouble early on (don’t worry, you are definitely NOT alone).

Keeping worms inside a worm bin inside a dry/bright home is not all that difficult (at least once the restless stage has passed), but if left out in a dark, warm, wet environment – and provided with an escape route, there is a good chance they’ll start to explore (ESPECIALLY if they’ve just been introduced to this new environment). Your holes are far too big – even if we are talking about circumference, 3″ is huge for a worm bin. I personally prefer 1/8″ diameter.

Anyway, really sorry to hear of your troubles Wendy – although glad you at least have some worms left.
Hope this has helped a little
8)

]]> By: Iker http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-composting/grass-clippings-as-worm-food/comment-page-1/#comment-21606 Iker Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:37:10 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=719#comment-21606 Hey, I've been reading the site for a while now, and I must say it has taught me almost everything I know about vermicomposting, and I'm a huge fan now, so kudos for that! Anyway, I found this absolutely easy to use C:N calculator for all us vermi-enthusiasts, I hope it helps you all! http://www.milkwood.net/content/view/47/30/ Keep up the good work! Hey, I’ve been reading the site for a while now, and I must say it has taught me almost everything I know about vermicomposting, and I’m a huge fan now, so kudos for that!

Anyway, I found this absolutely easy to use C:N calculator for all us vermi-enthusiasts, I hope it helps you all!
http://www.milkwood.net/content/view/47/30/

Keep up the good work!

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